Mule



Feb. 17, 1931. STQNE- 1,793,380

MULE Filed July 25, 1929 v lNVi-INTOR WITNESSES 220/ .if Szolz m BY Mum/W :6

1 7 I 'ATTORNEY while these straps serve the purpose ofre-' Patented Feb. 17, 1931 U ITED stares v PATENT; ore-ice KARL M. sronn, or MERRZCK, nnw'YoRK, ASSIGNOR TO STONE SHOE coMrAnY, rim, on NEW YORK, N. Y., A cortronarron on NEW- YORK 1 f r MULE 7 Application filed July 23,

more particular reference to that type of" ladies"boudoir slippers which are commonly known as mules. V V 7 Due to the difliculty of retaining the same on the foot, mules havebeen recently provided with a retaining strap for engagement around the upper portion of the heel, and

taining the mule on the foot, they have been found to be open to certain objections, notably their failure to hold the rear portion of the vamp against gapping.

The present invention therefore, aims to improve the structure of a mule by providing a heel strap which is directly'attached to or which-may form an integral part of the vamp,

whereby said strap in performing its function of retaining the mule in place on the foot, also serves as a means for causing the rearportion of the vamp tohug and snugly fit the foot to provide gapping thereof.

The invention furthermore aims to provide a mule provided with a heel strap which is constructed and attached in such a manner as to cause the same to assume a normal position which renders the mule more attractive in appearance and hence moresalable when displayed for sale.

Other objects of the invention reside in the simplicity of construction, the economy with which the same may be produced, and the general efiiciency derived therefrom.

With the above-recited and other objects 7 in view, reference is had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which there is exhibited one example'or embodiment of the invention, while the claims define the actual scope of the same.

In the drawings,

Figure l is a perspective view of a mule constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan View thereof, parts being broken away to disclose the underlying structure; Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, themule includes the sole A, the

vamp B and the heelC. The heel strap D is constructed of a length or strip of material which is carriedby the rear portions E of 1929. Serial No. 380,353.

the vamp and which is arranged tosnugly fit around the upper portion of the heel of the foot when the mule is applied. While it is to be understood thatthe heel strap D may form an integral part of the vamp, the same is illustrated as constructed separately there from, in which instance the terminals F of the heel strap are stitched to the rear portions'E of the vamp as illustrated. 1

In use, the heel strap in performing its function of retaining the mule by engaging around the upper portion of the-heel, exercises a pull on the rear of the vamp which tends to cause the rear portions E to adhere to or snugly fitthe foot. In addition to this,

the heel strap receives sufiicient support by being secured to therear portions ofthe vamp i throughout the height of the same, to'cause said strap to assume its normal PO SltlOIl when not in use, whereby when displayed for sale, the mule offers a more attractive and salable appearance to prospective purchasers. It

will also be observed that thelower edge G of the heel strap is shaped to conform generally to the configuration of the upper edge of the quarter part ofthe vamp whereby to lend generally to the, attractiveness of the nude when worn 'or displayed. I I

I claim:

1. A mule including an inelastic, semi-rigid heel strap for engaging around the upper portionofthe heel of the foot when applied thereto, said strap being secureddirectly to the rear portions of the vamp andto the sole.

2. A mule including a heel strap for engaging around the upper'portion of theheel of the foot when applied thereto, said strap being secured to the rear port-ions of the vamp and to the sole at adjacent side and end edges of its terminal.

KARL M. STONE. 

